Course sparks off girls´ interest in technology

Vendeli Ernstedt’s and Nova Nylander’s slight bodies are swallowed up by the blue overalls. They are large, intended for adults. Along with protective visors they make up a comical outfit.

– We can’t afford to buy 22 mini overalls. But you look so... cosy. And there’s plenty of room in them! says Marie Gårdemyr, co-ordinator at Teknikcollege.

The girls are just starting in class 6. Their choice of upper high school course is still far in the future. But it’s a question of influencing and inspiring them already.

Last year no girls at all applied for the industrial technology programme and the energy programme at Jacobsskolan.

The ratio of girls on the technology programme at HTS is 20-25 per cent. There’s plenty of room for improvement here, says Marie Gårdemyr.

Teacher Alf Nilsson shows the girls what to do.

– He said we should have crooked hands, says Vendeli Ernstedt.

Crooked hands?

– Yes, so that you see the welding rod.

– And he said we shouldn’t panic, we should think about safety, says Nova Nylander.

– It’ll be fun, but it’s a bit scary too, says Vendela Ernstedt.

Another girl, Ida Barba, is getting ready to do some welding.

– I like technology and woodwork. Welding will be fun.

Sara Lindhe is studying on the technology programme at HTS (Hässleholms Tekniska Skola). She is a kind of mentor, an example.

What do you do to inspire the younger girls?

– I tell them about all the exciting things we get to do on our course.

When welding is in progress, it sparks and hisses to the accompaniment of a bright, dancing light.

Sometimes the girls ask to be allowed to do more welding before the school day is over.

– It’s such fun to be able to show them the scope of technology. Yesterday we looked at robots, and tomorrow we’ll cast cement, says Marie Gårdemyr.

Teknikcollege is run by the municipality, the school and local businesses.